Director of Prague Zoo in Australia

In January of this year, Miroslav Bobek, the Director of Prague Zoo, visited Australia to discuss the protection of endangered species and the expansion of international cooperation among zoological gardens. Specific further steps in Prague Zoo’s “animal diplomacy” in 2024 included collaboration and financial support for Wombat Rescue to rehabilitate injured or sick wombats and return them to their natural habitat, as well as negotiations to acquire new specimens of the Tasmanian devil for the Darwin’s Crater exhibit at Prague Zoo.

Working Holiday Program for Youth Extended

Bilateral talks between the Czech Republic and Australia extended the Work and Holiday Programme until 28 February 2026. Preserving the annual quota of 500 participants from each country, this initiative offers young people from both the Czech Republic and Australia the opportunity to legally work and travel in the host country for up to 12 months. The programme’s extension continues to allow both parties to gain work experience and explore a new culture under favorable conditions.

FM Lipavský in Australia

At the end of February, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský carried out the first official visit to Australia at this level in twenty years. In Canberra, he met with key officials, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Governor-General David Hurley. He subsequently met with the Czech expatriate community at a reception held at the Czech Embassy. A large business delegation accompanied the visit, and after his stay in Canberra, the minister continued to Sydney and then to Japan.

EU–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

In March, New Zealand completed the ratification of its Free Trade Agreement with the EU, while the European Parliament had already approved it in November 2023. The agreement entered into force on 1 May 2024, opening the New Zealand market to duty-free imports of various European products (e.g. motor vehicles, machinery, wine, and chocolate), saving EU exporters an estimated EUR 140 million annually in customs duties. However, sensitive commodities such as meat and dairy products remain subject to import quotas to protect European farmers. Subsequently, New Zealand became an associated partner of the EU’s Horizon Europe program for cooperation in science and research.

Czech Companies at Australian Trade Fairs

Throughout the year, we actively participated in promoting Czech companies at several prominent Australian trade fairs. At the BUILD construction fair in Sydney, progressive Czech construction technologies were presented, while the Land Forces expo in Melbourne involved negotiations on supplying defence technologies and products for land forces. The Fine Food expo, also in Melbourne, opened up opportunities to showcase Czech products and establish new partnerships in the gastronomy sector.

Ambassador Tyrer on an Official Visit to Western Australia

In early June, Ambassador Jana Tyrer made an official visit to Western Australia, during which she visited notable political, business, and academic institutions in Perth. The primary goal of her trip was to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, mineral resources, and university exchange programs.

Czech Culture in Australia

Throughout the year, we devoted significant attention to promoting Czech culture through concerts, outreach, exhibitions, and discussions. Highlights included several concerts by the Czech ensemble Trio Bohémo in major Australian cities, an exhibition of contemporary Czech visual art titled “New Era” curated by Dominika Kútová, and a visit by the Director General of the National Library of the Czech Republic, Tomáš Foltýn, who introduced the Czech National Library and its international projects to a wide audience.

Collection of Indigenous Artifacts for the Náprstek Museum

The Embassy coordinated the acquisition and transfer of indigenous artifacts from New Guinea, which Czech-born Václav Chadim—an emigrant from communist Czechoslovakia and a former Qantas pilot—decided to donate to the Náprstek Museum in Prague. This collection of more than 100 indigenous statues, masks, and weapons will enrich the museum’s holdings with valuable items illustrating the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of New Guinea.

Faster Entry to New Zealand for Czech Citizens

Travel from the Czech Republic to New Zealand has become significantly simpler. As of September 23, 2024, Czech passport holders can use the automated eGate system at New Zealand border checkpoints. This change is the result of collective negotiations by all European Union member states, which ensured the expansion of this service to all EU countries. Thanks to this, Czech citizens can take advantage of the rapid biometric processing of their passports, which takes only a few seconds, helping them avoid long lines and manual checks.

Ambassador Tyrer Presented Her Credentials in Vanuatu

In October of this year, the Czech Ambassador presented her credentials to the President of Vanuatu, thereby officially confirming the Czech Embassy’s jurisdiction over this Pacific region. Vanuatu thus remains one of the countries where our diplomatic missions support and defend the interests of the Czech Republic and its citizens.

Opening of the New Embassy of the Czech Republic in Australia

A symbolic highlight of 2024 was the grand opening of the new building of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Australia. The modern building in Canberra’s diplomatic district of Deakin offers improved facilities for consular services as well as for hosting social and cultural events for the expatriate community and Australian partners. The building was ceremonially opened in the presence of the President of the Czech Republic and representatives of the Australian government.

Visit of the President of the Czech Republic to Australia and New Zealand

Toward the end of the year, President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlová paid a visit to Australia and New Zealand. This historic trip, the first at the presidential level in nearly 30 years, focused on strengthening bilateral relations in the areas of diplomacy, trade, defence, science, education, and culture. A business delegation focusing on modern innovative industries accompanied the President.

 

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Photographs are available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CZEmbassyCanberra/